This Saturday is the annual Help the Homeless Walkathon put on by Sallie Mae. Each year, the walk is held down on the National Mall to raise awareness and visibility about the issues of homelessness and affordable housing.
Homelessness is, unfortunately, on the increase and more and more people are living on the streets. Some 12,000 people are homeless in the District. Many of these people have jobs, but still cannot afford the cost of rent. The waitlist for affordable housing is over a year long. The main reasons that people become homeless are unforeseen economic crisis, job loss, foreclosure, serious medical condition, and death in the family. Families wind up on the streets when they are in the midst of other crises. Another factor that we can attribute homelessness to is the cuts to federal homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs. It is also important to note that as cities gentrify and old neighborhoods become new and appealing, many are forced from their homes as rent rises or as old apartments flip to condos. Some are working hard to make ends meet and stay in housing but as relief programs are cut and rent rises, this challenge becomes impossible.
This season, our coldest days so far were October 28 and 29. The emergency winter shelters in the District operate anytime the temperature drops to freezing during hypothermia season. Hypothermia season starts November 1. That means several DC residents were left out in the cold that weekend.
The Walkathon raises money and awareness for our most vulnerable community members. The money raised is in support of several local organizations including N Street Village, Community of Hope, Samaritan Ministry, SOME, Bread for the City, and Back on My Feet. These organizations are looking to fight poverty and homelessness at it's root and can provide those in need with what they need to find jobs and shelter.
It is the community's responsibility to look out for those living on the street; they are our burden. The norms and secret knowledge of our society have put them there, lacking options.
Come walk this Saturday and do your part to raise money and awareness for homelessness and those in our community who are out on the streets! It's not too late to register, and you can do so here. Homelessness is not an individual's fault; it is a matter of circumstances and all in the community are held accountable.
Take action! See you Saturday!
Homelessness is, unfortunately, on the increase and more and more people are living on the streets. Some 12,000 people are homeless in the District. Many of these people have jobs, but still cannot afford the cost of rent. The waitlist for affordable housing is over a year long. The main reasons that people become homeless are unforeseen economic crisis, job loss, foreclosure, serious medical condition, and death in the family. Families wind up on the streets when they are in the midst of other crises. Another factor that we can attribute homelessness to is the cuts to federal homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs. It is also important to note that as cities gentrify and old neighborhoods become new and appealing, many are forced from their homes as rent rises or as old apartments flip to condos. Some are working hard to make ends meet and stay in housing but as relief programs are cut and rent rises, this challenge becomes impossible.
This season, our coldest days so far were October 28 and 29. The emergency winter shelters in the District operate anytime the temperature drops to freezing during hypothermia season. Hypothermia season starts November 1. That means several DC residents were left out in the cold that weekend.
The Walkathon raises money and awareness for our most vulnerable community members. The money raised is in support of several local organizations including N Street Village, Community of Hope, Samaritan Ministry, SOME, Bread for the City, and Back on My Feet. These organizations are looking to fight poverty and homelessness at it's root and can provide those in need with what they need to find jobs and shelter.
It is the community's responsibility to look out for those living on the street; they are our burden. The norms and secret knowledge of our society have put them there, lacking options.
Come walk this Saturday and do your part to raise money and awareness for homelessness and those in our community who are out on the streets! It's not too late to register, and you can do so here. Homelessness is not an individual's fault; it is a matter of circumstances and all in the community are held accountable.
Take action! See you Saturday!
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